Mumbai: The Indian batsmen stole the show on June 20, 2025, as they batted out the first day of the Test match against England to reach 312 for 3, with centuries scored by opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and the skipper, Shubman Gill.
England won the toss and decided to bat first, believing they could take advantage of the early conditions. The two openers, Jaiswal and KL Rahul, began in a steady manner. Rahul hurried to 42 before holing out to Brydon Carse; however, Jaiswal did not relent and continued with brush stroke play. Debutant Sai Sudharsan did not fare well, scoring a duck, which left India on a shaky 80 for 2.
Jaiswal and Gill were then able to form a crucial partnership, responding to the bowling attack of England with caution and with panache. Jaiswal then displayed his aggressive nature by scoring a century off 156 balls, but Ben Stokes caught him off his score of 101. Meanwhile, Gill, undisturbed, held the innings together, hobbling on to a dogged century and finishing not out—109. At the end of the play, Rishabh Pant powered through with 42.
The bowlers of England were unable to check the momentum of India. Stokes took a couple of wickets and Carse one, but the visitors were unable to break the Gill-Pant alliance late in the day.
A cricket analyst has said that Jaiswal’s aggression and Gill’s composure laid a favourable platform as India scored big. With its massive batting performance, the team has gotten into a dominant position, with two fixed batsmen set to strengthen the lead on the second day.
India’s impressive scoreboard demonstrates their determination to dictate the outcome of this Test match, setting up an intriguing contest as England attempts to mount a comeback.